The World according to Cyprian, #15

On Tuesday and Thursday evenings, I have the boys to myself while Rosemary heads off to Tae Kwon Do. We try to maintain the regular schedule--bathroom, teeth brushing, a few stories, and the rosary. Sometimes Cletus is distraught that Rosemary is gone, but sometimes he's quiet, and the boys take advantage by asking questions, especially during the rosary.

Since today is Thursday, we prayed the Luminous Mysteries of Jesus's active ministry--the Baptism in the Jordan, the Wedding Feast at Cana, the Proclamation of the Kingdom, the Transfiguration, and the Institution of the Holy Eucharist. Cyprian and Clement were paying rapt attention, following along using some cord rosaries that their Aunt Becky had sent.

What follows is a faithful transcript of a conversation with Cyprian, at least as faithful as La Repubblica's Eugenio Scalfari's recollections of his recent conversations with Pope Francis (which isn't saying too much):

Cyprian: "Daddy, what is the Proclamation of the Kingdom?"

Me: "It's the period of Jesus's life when he went around telling people about the Kingdom of God and inviting them to believe in Him and come to Heaven to live with Him forever."

Cyprian: "But what is the story of the Proclamation of the Kingdom?"

Me: "Well, it really begins with the Baptism in the Jordan, where St. John baptizes Jesus, and then it continues with the initiation of his public ministry at the Wedding Feast at Cana. And then..."

Cyprian: "That's not a story. Let me tell you the story of the Proclamation of the Kingdom. First Jesus was born in a stable. Then they tried to kill Him, so He fled to His Kingdom."

Me: "To Egypt? That wasn't His kingdom, though. He did flee to Egypt with Mary and Joseph, but I think you're conflating a few different stories."

Cyprian: "No, that was His kingdom. And then they nailed Him to the cross, but He was still alive. They even nailed His feet to the cross, but He was still alive. And now we can be in His kingdom with Him forever if we love Him and if we're saints."

So, I enjoyed the conversation. It might be a little theologically and historically confused, but it's almost scary how much he's paying attention and learning in leaps and bounds. It's amazing how things coalesce in the mind of a five-year-old!

This is a pretty old picture of Cyprian, but it's definitely a favorite.